Wardrobe suitcase



1929. N. z. BUTTERICK WARDROBE SUITCASE Filed Jan. 12, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' 1 I luv/Gator."

Patented Oct. 1,. 1929 NT OFFICE NAASON z. BUTTERICK, or MIAMI, rLoRInA WARDROBE SUITCASE Application filed fanjary 12, 1928. Serial No. 246,236.

This invention relates to suit cases, and w more particularly to that type of suit case especially designed to carry clothing or garments without danger of wrinkling. 5 The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a suit case of the so-called wardrobe type having means to secure the opposite ends of garments or clothing in such a manner that upon closing the suit case the garments are automatically straightened out.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for preventing any displacement or wrinkling of the garments in the suit case.

Suit cases of this general class have been are adapted to be hung, thereby supporting the upper ortion of such garments, but no means has been provided for supporting the lower portions of the garments. Accordingly garments placed in such suit cases will collapse toward the center of the suit case when the case is closed. Generally a sufficient number of garments are placed in the case to fill it, causing the garments to crowd each other and begome wrinkled. With the present invention the garments are supported not only at both ends but also adjacent the center, thereby entirely eliminating any possibility of wrinkling or displacement regardless of whether only a single garment or the full capacity of the suit case is carried.

A further object of my invention is to provide a suit case which will operate automatically upon the closing of the case to pull the ends of the garments in opposite directions from the center, thereby maintaining the garments in a slightly taut straightened position.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of my invention Figure 1 is a plan view of the entire suit case showing the same in open position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the case also showing it in open po- 59 sition. V

the event of the upsetting or overturning of rality of hangers, upon which the garments Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through one of the side portions of the case and the central portion thereof, the latter being illustrated in dotted lines in open po- -sition..

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end elevation of the entire suit case, illustrating the same in closed position.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the suit case showing a plurality of garments positioned therein.

Figure 7 is a detail view of one of the garment hanger members detached.

Figure 8 is a detail view of one of the members for the support of the lower extremity of the garment.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of Figure 8 illustrating the same in open position.

The suit case comprisesa pair of side sec- -t1ons 1 hinged at 1 to a central bottom section 2, .which is substantially U-shaped and -is preferably slightly less in width than the side sections, so that when the case is closed the portions of the side sections adjacent the hinges 1? will overlie the, upstanding walls 2 of the bottom section thereby providing a substantial structure. The side sections are provided with a pair of handles 1 for the convenient carrying of the case, and may be further provided with the usual locks or clasps.

Each side section includes upstanding side walls 1 and an end wall 1. Brackets or guide members 3 are rigidly secured to the side walls by means of screws, rivets 'or the like the said guide members being preferably arcuate in shape and being disposed in opposed relationship adjacent the end wall of the side sections. Each bracket is provided with an arcuate guiding slot or track 3 adapted to receive a pin 4* of a hanger supporting member 4 which is pivotally secured at 9 to the side Wall of the side section.

Garment hangers 5 are provided comprising a garment receiving portion 5* and a suspending portion 5". The portion 5 is substantially bar-like and is provided at its extremities with pins 5, one of such pins being resiliently mounted and comprising a plunger provided with a knob or handle 5 for the convenient manipulation thereof (see Figure 7).

Each hanger supporting member 4 is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 4 adapted to receive the pins-15' upon the garment hangers. I have shown a plurality of garments disposed uponhangers properly mounted within the suit case. One of the side sections is utilized for the mounting of the hangers and upper portions of the garments, the other side section receivingthe lower portions of such garments.

I provide retaining members 6 to receive the lower extremities of the garments, each member 6 comprising a pair 01 spaced bars 6 and a flexible strap (3 of webbing, canvas or anyother suitable material disposed thereinbetween and in a plane slightly above that of the bars. The strap ti is secured at one end and provided at the other end with a fastening member 6 as a buckle, clasp or the like. The members 6 are provided at each. extremity with a pinG similar to the pins 5", one of the said pins'comprising a resilient plunger having a knob or handle 6 to permit insertion or withdrawal. The bars 6, may, if desired, be covered on their upper surfaces, as by a rubber or cloth'facing for the protection of the garments adapted to be supported thereby. It will be readily understood from the above description of the mounting of the garment hangers 5, that the members (3 in like manner may be as conveniently mounted between similar opposed supporting members 4".

To'support and retain the central portions of the garments, I provide a rod or bar 7 adapted to be mounted within apertures 8 disposed in guide brackets 8 rigidly secured to the walls 2 of the bottom section of the suit case.

In packing the suit case, the case is first opened to the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. A garment is then placed upon one of the hangers 5, and the hanger is then mounted in the lowermost holes of the pair of supporting members 4, the garment then being disposed or adapted to lie flat within the case. One of the members 6 is then secured to the lower end of the garment, the bars 6 being adapted to lie beneath the garment while the strap 6* is fastened thereabove, thus slightly binding the garment in position between the said strap and bars. The member 6 is then mounted in the lowermost holes of the pair of supporting members 4. ,In like manner any desired number of garments are positioned therein, after which the bar 7 is mounted within the apertures in the brackets 8 so as to lie immediately above the uppermost garment. The garments are thus securely supported at the top, bottom and central portion.

Links 9 upon opposite sides of the case are secured at 9 to the hanger supporting mem- Upon opening the suit case, the outer ends... of the supporting members 4 will be guided,

by the pins 4 within the slots or tracks 3? and will be moved by the links 9, toward the center-of the, case, to the position shown in Figurei-2 ofthe 'drawings. In like manner upon closing the case, the supporting members will be automatically moved to the position illustrated in Figures 3 and 6 of the drawings. V

When the suit case is open the supporting members 4 will be inclined inwardly ready for the packing of garments therein. Upon closing the case, the supporting members 4 are automatically swung by the pivotal link connection 9, from the inwardly inclined position shown in Figure 2, to an outwardly inclined position shown in Fig. 6, thereby pulling the upper and lower portions of the garments in opposite directions away from the center. The garments are thereby straightened and held slightly taut, free from wrinkles and free from any possibility of displacement. or wrinkling. From'an examination of Figure 6 of the drawings it will be seen that the angular relationship of the members 4 1s such as to position ad acent garments in slightly offset or staggered relationship, thus preventing any crowding or binding of the upper portions of the garments which are generally heavier or thicker.

1 cla1m:-

1. In a sectional suit case of the class set forth, in combination, garment retaining members in both sections, each adapted to support an extremity of a garment, means for supporting the center of the garment, and means automatically operable upon closure of the suit case to move such reand means automatically operable upon closure of the case to move the retaining members in opposite dlrectlons from said central support, and to d spose the garments in oliset relationship and in a straightene'd'and j taut condition.

.- 3. YA suit case of the class set forth comprising side members and a bottom member, means for supporting a plurality of garments therein, said means comprlsmg retaining members pivotally secured to the side members and adapted to receive the extremities of garment supporting members,

, adjustable means for supporting the center -of the garments, and means automatically operable upon closure of the suit case to shift the retaining members on their pivots in opposite directions from said central support, and to dispose such garments in ottset relationship andin a straightened and taut condition.

4. A sult case comprlsing slde members and a bottom member hingedly connected,

arcuate guide brackets secured to said side brackets, carrier arms pivotally secured to the side members and guided in said brackets, garment retaining members secured to said corner arms, links pivoted at one end to the bottom member and at the opposite end to said arms, and a central supporting member adjustably secured at opposite ends to the bottom member, whereby upon swinging the side members toward each other in closing the ease,the' retaining members are swung on their pivots in opposite directions thereby stretching the garments supported in said retaining members in opposie directions from said central member and disposing them in offset relationship.

In a sectional suit case of the class set forth, in combination, garment retaining members in opposite sections, each adapted to support an extremity of a garment, means for supporting the center of the garment, and means automatically operable upon closure of the case to move the retaining members in opposite directions from said central support, and causing the central retaining members to move the greater distance and the outer members the least distancc.

6. In a sectional suit case of the class set forth, in combination, garment retaining members in opposite sections adapted respectively to support the opposite extremities of a garment, means for supporting the center of the garment, and means automatieally operable upon closure of the case to more the retaining members in opposite direetions from said central support, the central retaining members moving the greater distance, each of the other members moving a lesser distance, the outermost members moving the least distance.

7. In a sectional suit case of the class set forth. in combination, garment retaining members in opposite sections adapted respectively to support the opposite extremities ot a garment, means for supporting the center of the. garment, and means automatically operable upon closure of the case to move the retaining members in opposite directions from said central support, and causing the inner retaining members to move the greater distance, each of the other members a lesser distance, the outer member the least distance; the members automatically separating from adjacent members during this upward movement, thereby allowing the various garments to pass one another Without interference.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

NAASON Z. BUTTERICK. 

